ChicoryLane Summer Open Day

Saturday, June 7, 2025 ~ 10:30am - 3:00pm

ChicoryLane is opening its meadows, streams, wetlands and forest to exploration in early summer, all accessible from wide, mowed paths. Discover on your own or with a guide. Knowledgeable speakers and volunteers will be available to walk and talk with visitors.

Options Throughout the Day

John Smith will be available to talk about ChicoryLane’s old field ecology and present-day methods of conserving its land, waters, and woods. 

Catherine Smith will talk about history of the place between 1766 and now, including origins of the log farmhouse built in early 1820s.

Drone photos above and left, by Bill Rathfon

As a special feature, ChicoryLane Foundation board member Loanne Snavely has designed walks to experience the sights, sounds and scents of the place. Benches for sitting and reflecting will be included. Bring your camera, binoculars, journals, or simply your senses. Expect potential wet spots. Wear appropriate shoes and bring walking sticks if needed.

Open Day Walks

• Follow the Stream: Walk to the convergence of two streams to visit a notable Crack Willow tree, then head over to the vernal pools and farm pond to check on the waterfowl - an easy, mostly flat walk (approximate distance 1/2 mile).

• Martha's Allee: Meander along a stream at the base of the wooded hillside, then continue around open grasslands to end at the fruit tree orchard and evergreen grove near the farmhouse to see landscapes with an artist’s eye -- a mostly flat walk with gentle ups and downs (approximate distance 3/4 mile).



• To the Top: Walk up a gradual incline on a grassy path, then circle around reforested farmland with views in every direction (approximate distance 1 and 1/4 mile).

-- Further detail on the day's schedule

will be sent 2-weeks prior to the event --

Free event, no pre-registration required.

Water and light refreshments available. BYO snacks or lunch if you wish.

Restroom available. Rain or shine except in a deluge.

Follow the Birds

On a gray April morning, Joe Gyekis led a group of 40 birders along ChicoryLane paths for a Spring Bird Walk. As Joe said, “If the weather is worse, the birding can be better!” That day visitors identified 43 different species, both visually and by calls. Joe will return for the Fall Bird Walk on Saturday, September 13.

Photo credit: Nicholas Winograd

2025 Events at a Glance

• Summer Open Day with various guides - June 7
• Writing in Place with Travis Wingard, PSU Extension Educator - July 23
• Ecological Enhancement with John Smith, James Lesher, Sam Stoltzfus - August 9
• Black Walnut Natural Dyeing with Cathryn Pugh, PSU Extension Educator - August 16
• Fall Bird Walk with Joe Gyekis - September 13
• Fall Open Day with various guides - October 18

See detail here, including event times and descriptions

ChicoryLane is an ecological reserve near Spring Mills protected by a Conservation Easement held by Clearwater Conservancy. Its 68 acres are actively managed for conservation.

The landscape is natural and scenic. It includes wetlands and meadows, streams, remnant and successional forests, and a grassland. This diversity of habitats is especially inviting to birds and butterflies. A system of mowed trails makes most of the property accessible to walkers.

If you wish to visit ChicoryLane, email us a request including the time, date, and number in your group. If you do not wish to receive future announcements, please unsubscribe below.